Students

In view of the severe COVID-19 situation, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces that the infection control measures presently in force, including special work arrangements for attendance, work from home or rotation; suspension of all dine-in service in CUHK canteens after 6:00 PM; and temporary closure of all sports facilities on campus, will be extended to 27 January 2021. 

During this period, the services of the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual. For details of opening hours and arrangements of canteens and other facilities, please visit https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/campus/accommodation.html#canteen_info or refer to the announcements of the respective offices.

In view of the severe COVID-19 situation, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces that the infection control measures presently in force, including special work arrangements for attendance, work from home or rotation; suspension of all dine-in service in CUHK canteens after 6:00 PM; and temporary closure of all sports facilities on campus, will be extended to 20 January 2021.

During this period, the services of the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual. For details of opening hours and arrangements of canteens and other facilities, please visit https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/campus/accommodation.html#canteen_info or refer to the announcements of the respective offices.

In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces that the following enhanced infection control measures will be extended to 6 January 2021.

The special work arrangements currently in place will be extended to 6 January 2021.  In response to the epidemic, departments/units will review the situation and adjust the relevant arrangements for attendance, work from home or rotation as appropriate. Staff members will be informed of the details by their respective department/unit heads.

All dine-in services in CUHK canteens will be suspended after 6:00 PM. For the details of opening hours and arrangements, please contact the respective canteens or visit https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/campus/accommodation.html#canteen_info

During this period, the services of the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual. The University will temporarily close all sports facilities on campus. For details of the opening hours of other facilities of the University, please refer to the announcements of the respective offices.

Dear Students and Colleagues, 

The Fall Term has just concluded, let us first of all wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season ahead. 

The Fall Term started on a promising note, when the third wave of COVID infections slowed in Hong Kong. Classes proceeded very much as planned. The “hybrid’’ mode of teaching worked well, as feedback from students and teachers shows, without compromising the desired learning outcomes. We must thank all our staff for their tremendous effort, our students for their understanding and cooperation, and our alumni for their support and encouragement. Teaching and learning would not have progressed as well as it did, had it not been for the community coming together during this trying time. Difficulties remain, of course; for example, we are keenly aware that some students, especially freshmen, experienced a sense of isolation, as they were unable to connect with their seniors and peers in person and make new friends. 

In November, we undertook to make more face-to-face classes available and organized some carefully managed student activities. Unfortunately, just as we hoped we could step up some of these efforts, a new wave of COVID infections arrived, putting the city under siege once more. The current fourth wave of COVID infections is fierce and has spread widely. There are far more cases without known origins for comfort. The University must play its part in strengthening its infection control measures, so as to protect the health and wellbeing of all our members. As the new academic Term will begin in less than a month’s time, we must make timely adjustments to our plans for teaching and learning, and for hostel accommodation. 

Teaching and Learning

Unless conditions improve, classes will continue to be conducted mainly online. While some face-to-face classes for a small number of undergraduate courses, including lab/studio/practicum-based undergraduate courses and postgraduate courses may be arranged under strict infection control measures, prudence dictates that campus density should be kept to a minimum. We very much hope that when conditions improve, we will be able to accommodate more first-year students and classes on campus as we originally planned in November. Students should consult CUSIS for the individual course arrangements. If the pandemic subsides after the winter, we will again adjust our teaching arrangements to allow for more in-person on-campus activities.

It is unfortunate that student exchanges cannot proceed for the remainder of the academic year, as the pandemic rages on throughout the world, but the Virtual Student Exchange Programme spearheaded by CUHK is receiving a warm reception and has provided valuable global learning opportunities for many of our students.

Hostel Accommodation

The risk of a cluster of infections emerging on campus is real. That risk would surely increase if a large number of students were to return to their hostel accommodation. Even with single room occupancy, the sharing of common facilities still poses considerable risk. For this reason, although we realize how disappointing this must be for many of our students, some of whom reside outside Hong Kong and are very much looking forward to returning to campus, we have to act responsibly and limit occupancy. We must also set aside rooms for emergency purposes in case there is an outbreak in one of the hostels and a thorough disinfection is needed. 

Under the current unfavorable circumstances, other than those students who are already in their hostels, only a limited number of additional rooms will be available to students for the Spring Term. The Colleges are in the process of finalizing their plans and will be informing their students shortly. 

Act Together Against COVID-19

The end of the fourth wave of COVID infections is nowhere in sight. The ferocity of the present rate of transmission is alarming. Fatality arising from COVID-19 is not confined to the elderly, as recent cases sadly confirm. The University appeals to all members to stay vigilant. Even with the promise of a vaccine, we cannot emphasize strongly enough that we need to act together to keep our campus safe from COVID-19. For more information on the University’s infection control measures, please visit the “Act Together Against COVID-19” website.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely, keeping in mind always that the health and safety of our members must come first, adjust our responses as necessary, and keep you informed in a timely manner. Once more, thank you for your understanding and steadfast support.

Yours sincerely,

Rocky S. Tuan                                                Alan K.L. Chan
Vice-Chancellor and President               Provost

In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces the following enhanced infection control measures from 10 December to 23 December 2020:

1. All dine-in services in CUHK canteens will be suspended after 6:00 PM. For the details of opening hours and arrangements, please contact the respective canteens or visit  https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/campus/accommodation.html#canteen_info

2. The University will temporarily close all sports facilities on campus.

3. The special work arrangements has been implemented from 2 December. Each department/unit will review and maintain essential and necessary services. Except for those staff providing essential and necessary services, staff members whose work permits offsite handling will work on shift or work from home. In response to the epidemic, departments/units will try to reduce onsite manpower as much as possible and review the situation to adjust the relevant arrangements for attendance, work from home or rotation as appropriate. Staff members will be informed of the details by their respective department/unit heads. This temporary arrangement will be extended to 23 December.

During this period, the services of the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual. For details of the opening hours of other facilities of the University, please refer to the announcements of the respective offices.

First Term Centralized Course Examinations will begin on 9 December 2020.  Please pay attention to the following regarding examination arrangements.

1. Declaration of Academic Honesty

The University places very high importance on honesty in academic work, and adopts a policy of zero tolerance on academic dishonesty.  Students should have made the Declaration of Academic Honesty prior to taking examinations.  All students are abide by the statements in the Declaration in attending the examinations and MUST comply with the respective rules and regulations for taking online/face-to-face examinations.  All acts of academic dishonesty, once established by the concerned authorities, shall be disciplined in accordance with the University’s policies and guidelines governing academic honesty (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/).  Demerit records will be marked on student’s academic transcript and for some serious cases, the penalty includes lowering of degree honours as a result of academic dishonesty.  Therefore, students MUST take academic honesty very seriously when they attend any examinations/tests/other forms of assessments.

2. Further update of the Final Examination Timetable

All students MUST check again the updated Final Examination Timetable on CUSIS, since there are further update after 16 November 2020 due to (a) late drop of courses, and (b) some more changes in the mode of examination (e.g. from face-to-face to online, or from without invigilation to self-arranged invigilation).

The Final Examination Timetable has been sent by separate e-mails to individual SEN students who need special examination arrangements as recommended by the Office of Student Affairs of the University.  Students should note that there might be subsequent changes to their individual examination timetable due to change of examination mode.  Students should follow the information stated in the latest e-mail sent to them to attend the final examination with special arrangements according to the date, time, and venue (applicable to face-to-face examinations).

Please note that students are NOT allowed to take the examinations if they have dropped the courses.

3. Attending Face-to-Face Examinations

Students who will attend the face-to-face examinations on campus MUST arrive at the designated examination venue (e.g. University Gymnasium) at least 20 minutes BEFORE the start time of the examination (i.e. arrive at 9:10am if the examination starts at 9:30am).  The University will perform the following stringent precautionary measures in examination venues in addition to the “Guidelines for Precautionary Measures for Face-to-Face Examinations”.

• Students are required to wear surgical masks throughout the examination, and should line up with social distancing for the following measures when entering examination venues.
  • Body temperature screening at the entrance of all examination venues. Anyone with body temperature constantly at or higher than 37.5C will NOT be allowed to enter the examination venue, and they will be given proper advice for follow-up action.
  • All students are required to use alcohol sanitizer to clean their hands before entering the examination venue.
• After entering the examination venue, students MUST take up the assigned seat (the seat number is available in students’ individual exam timetable on CUSIS).  Alcohol wipes will be provided to students to clean the desk/chair of the examination venue as deemed necessary.
• No eating or drinking is allowed inside all examination venues.

Please note that for social distancing, the seating arrangement in examination halls will follow that of the HKDSE and students are seated approximately 1.8 meters apart.  For examinations to be held in classroom, a venue with double-seating capacity will be used and students will be seated at least one meter apart from each other, and some vacant seats/rows will also be arranged as far as practicable.

In order to safeguard the health and well-being of the campus community, students who are not feeling well or who have respiratory symptoms should not attend face-to-face examinations, and should seek advice from RES for application for absence from examinations.  Students who are residing in Hong Kong but who do not feel comfortable to sit the face-to-face examination due to the pandemic should seek advice from the course teachers concerned directly so that other alternative arrangements can be made, including: (a) an online examination following the same format and the time of same examination session will be arranged by the course teachers, if there is an online version of the examination for students who are not residing in Hong Kong, and subject to the decision of the course teacher concerned; or (b) to be advised to apply for absence from examination and to be assessed later by make-up examination or by other forms of assessment.

4. Attending Online Examinations

Students MUST follow the instructions of the course teachers to attend the examinations at the specified time earlier than the start time on the date of the examination for attendance taking or other logistics arrangements as required, where applicable.  Course teachers concerned should have arranged mock examination for students to familiarize themselves with the IT tools/platform before taking the actual online examination.

All students must read carefully the “Guidelines and Information for Students Taking Online Course Examinations” when preparing for online examinations.  Students who have genuine difficulties with the required computing equipment, proper environment and stable internet connection (especially for those who are taking the examination outside Hong Kong) for taking online examinations should report to the course teacher as soon as they can.  Course teachers concerned should also give clear written instructions, including but not limited to the following, to students before the online examination takes place.

• Exact time for students to logon the IT tools/platforms before the examination start time (e.g. 20 minutes before the start time of the examination).
• The method used to take attendance (e.g. students are required to show their Student ID Card or other identification document, where applicable, in front of the webcam).
• The IT tools/platforms to deliver the question paper(s) online before the examination.
• The back-up plan for students if they encounter any system failure/Internet problem (e.g. provide telephone number of the invigilator/course teacher for reporting problems).
• The IT tools/platforms that students will use to submit the answer scripts/sheets after the examination and the time allowed (e.g. 15 minutes) for submission of the answer scripts/sheet.
• The IT tools/platforms for invigilation during online examination with invigilation.
• The instructions for washroom arrangements during the examination for online examination with invigilation, e.g. to ask students to show the examination scripts via Zoom, or take a picture of the examination script and send e-mail to an account before going to washroom.
• For online examination with invigilation, students should be informed whether the examination session will be recorded.
• How to raise questions before, during and after the examination when students have problems on the question paper or experience other significant problems (e.g. use CHAT/raise hand in Zoom or use mobile to call announced mobile telephone numbers/use other means to communicate with the course teacher/invigilator).

Students who have not got such information before the examination should contact the course teachers concerned directly.

5. Other Important Information

Please refer to our e-mail communication dated 16 November 2020 for details of examination rules, special circumstances for re-scheduling of examination, and application for absence from examinations.  Please also note that in general the data retention period is one year for all examination data collected/generated during online and face-to-face examinations, except when the data are required for specific purposes (e.g. investigation of disciplinary cases).

In view of the worsening risk of the spread of COVID-19, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces special work arrangements that will be implemented from Wednesday (2 December). Each department/unit will review and maintain essential and necessary services. Except for those staff providing essential and necessary services, staff members whose work permits offsite handling will work on shift or work from home. This temporary arrangement will last for two weeks until 15 December and the University will closely monitor and review the situation as appropriate. Staff members will be informed of the detailed arrangements for attendance, work from home or rotation by their respective department/unit heads.

The University is adopting the hybrid mode of teaching and learning. Most face-to-face classes can be conducted online at the same time if needed. Except for a few courses, the examinations will also be conducted online. The relating units/departments will notify teachers and students of the details separately by email.

Starting from 2 December, all canteens on CUHK campus can only accommodate two people per table.

The University advises all employees to pay attention to personal hygiene and take appropriate health protection measures. Wearing a mask on campus in accordance with the Government regulations is also required, and it is suggested that staff members avoid attending group gatherings.

During this period, the services of the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual. For details of the opening hours of other facilities of the University, please refer to the announcements of the respective offices.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

The current academic Term has now entered its 10^th week. Since mid-October, with the pandemic stabilizing somewhat in Hong Kong, more face-to-face classes for higher-level undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, as well as laboratory, studio or practicum-based courses, have been made available. The Centralized Study Spaces Booking System for students to find a quiet place to study on campus has also been implemented. Teaching and learning under the carefully planned “hybrid” mode of face-to-face and synchronous online academic activities has worked well. We appreciate the cooperation of students and staff for complying with the necessary precautionary measures to keep COVID-19 at bay. It is important that we keep in mind the health and wellbeing not only of ourselves but also of those around us.

Teaching and Examination Arrangements

For courses that require centrally organized invigilated final examinations, we will ensure that suitable venues are available should the course instructors choose to conduct them physically on campus. Whether the exams are best conducted online or in-person is a pedagogical question that is best decided by the course instructors. The arrangements for individual courses will be announced on CUSIS.

Assuming that the pandemic continues on a relatively moderate course, more on-campus teaching and learning activities should be possible in the Spring Term. Although prudence dictates that the current hybrid mode of teaching and learning will need to be maintained, some level-1 courses will be given priority for face-to-face teaching, in addition to the types of courses mentioned above. A healthy measure of on-campus learning experience is important for freshmen as they adjust to university life. With safe travel “bubbles” coming into place, some student exchange activities may also be possible in the Spring Term, although these are yet to be determined. As always, we will monitor the situation closely and make timely adjustments accordingly.

At the same time, we will continue to strengthen our e-learning capacity and develop innovative pedagogical approaches to learning under the new normal. Many colleagues deserve our heartfelt thanks, for they have invested enormous amounts of time and effort in making sure that learning continues to grow even in the time of the pandemic. We applaud also our wonderful students who valiantly embrace the new mode of teaching and learning and have been helping one another along the way.

Hostel Accommodation

For the best interest of student health and safety, single room occupancy and the standing rule that no visitors are allowed to stay overnight in the hostel rooms of all nine Colleges will continue to be strictly implemented. In addition to final-year students with prior hostel allocation, freshmen with assigned hostel places will also be given priority in the Spring Term. For inbound students, the prevailing specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation must be observed. New provisions will come into effect on 13^th  November. Please visit the Centre for Health Protection website for details on the latest announcements.

The increased hostel occupancy will make it very important that all health and infection control measures are strictly adhered to. Unauthorized boarding will incur disciplinary action. We thank the College Heads and Masters in agreeing to accommodate more students on campus, and we seek the understanding and cooperation of all students in ensuring that the halls of residence remain safe from COVID-19. As the coronavirus has proven to be highly infectious, we simply cannot afford to lower our guard even for a single moment.

As we indicated in our previous letter, so long as all of us take full responsibility in adhering to the needed infection control measures and are mindful of the wellbeing of others, we will be able to overcome whatever challenges that lie ahead.

Acting Together Against COVID-19

Earlier, we applied a disinfectant to walls and surfaces in lecture theatres and other high-density areas. We recently tested its efficacy and found it to be satisfactory, with few microbial colonies detected after 3 months of deployment. A second coating will be applied shortly. The WE R SMART slogan reminds us that wearing a mask, observing social distance, monitoring body temperature and washing hands frequently have now come almost naturally to us, and that they remain essential in the fight against COVID-19. The “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile app to be introduced by the HK Government is a helpful tool for us to keep track of the places we have visited, which can prove critical if contact tracing becomes necessary. Learning from the experiences of universities overseas, we know that the consequences would be dire if we do not take these measures seriously.

COVID-19 has been terrible, but it should motivate us to do more and spur innovation. We are not responding to the pandemic with stopgap measures, hoping that the “old normal” would return someday; rather, we should take this opportunity to chart new directions and strategies for the University to grow in its next phase of development. Over the past few months, the University has been consulting widely with students, staff and alumni on its new five-year strategic plan, which will include fresh initiatives in developing education and research, enriching student experience, enhancing human capital, expanding global engagement, spearheading sustainable development and social responsibility, deepening our ties with alumni, and advancing institutional development. We look forward to hearing more from you on “CUHK 2025” over the next few months.

Yours sincerely,

Rocky S. Tuan                                                Alan K.L. Chan
Vice-Chancellor and President               Provost

Note: The followings are suggested guidelines. Departments/course teachers concerned may adopt other precautionary measures as appropriate.

1. Precautionary measures

• Students, course teachers/invigilators concerned with one or more of the following conditions should not come back to the campus for the face-to-face examination, and they should make other appropriate arrangements.
  1. have travelled outside Hong Kong within 14 days before the day of examination;
  2. are still within the compulsory quarantine period;
  3. are living with family members/persons who are confirmed cases of COVID-19; or
  4. have chronic illness/other medical conditions.
• Students, invigilators and course teachers should monitor their own body temperature on each day before attending the examination. If their body temperature is at or higher than 37.5C or with presence of respiratory symptoms, they should seek medical advice immediately.
• Students should follow the Regulation to apply for absence from examination if their conditions do not permit them to take the examination, if applicable.

2. Before the examination

• Students, invigilators and course teachers concerned with body temperature at or higher than 37.5C or with presence of respiratory symptoms should not enter the examination venue. They should seek medical advice immediately.
• All students, course teachers/invigilators must pay attention to personal hygiene. They are required to put on surgical masks and use alcohol sanitizers to rub hands before entering the examination venue. Alcohol sanitizers should be provided at the building entrance, and surgical masks for students who are in need.
• Students should reserve ample time to enter the examination venue by batches to avoid crowd gathering at the entrances of the examination venue.
• Course teachers should arrange a suitable venue for the examination where social distancing can be enforced.
• In arrangements of seating, keep the physical distance between students at least one meter apart.
• Proper cleaning and disinfection of the examination venue MUST be done after each examination session.
• Try to maintain good indoor ventilation of the venue, e.g. open the windows, if possible.

3. During the examination

• All students, course teachers/invigilators are required to put on surgical masks during the whole examination, including oral examinations.
• No eating or drinking is allowed in the examination venue.

4. After the examination

Arrange students to leave the examination venue in batches, so as not to crowd the exits.

5. Contact Tracing

If in the unfortunate situation that a confirmed COVID-19 case is identified and who has attended the examination, the course teachers concerned should report to the University’s Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) immediately, and contact the management unit of the venue to arrange disinfection, and provide contact list of participants of the examination to the offices concerned to facilitate efficient contact tracing.

Note: The followings are suggested guidelines. Departments/course teachers concerned may adopt other precautionary measures as appropriate.

1. Precautionary measures

• Students and course teachers concerned with one or more of the following conditions should not come back to the campus for the face-to-face meetings, and they should make other appropriate arrangements.
  1. have travelled outside Hong Kong within 14 days before attending the class/laboratory session;
  2. are still within the compulsory quarantine period;
  3. are living with family members/persons who are confirmed cases of COVID-19; or
  4. have chronic illness/other medical conditions.
• Students and course teachers concerned should monitor their own body temperature on each day before attending the class/laboratory session. If their body temperature is at or higher than 37.5C or with presence of respiratory symptoms, they should seek medical advice immediately.

2. Before the class/laboratory session

• Students and course teachers concerned with body temperature at or higher than 37.5C or with presence of respiratory symptoms should not attend the class/laboratory session on the scheduled date. They should seek medical advice immediately.
• All students and course teachers must pay attention to personal hygiene. They are required to put on surgical masks and use alcohol sanitizers to rub hands before entering the venue. Alcohol sanitizers should be provided at the building entrance, and surgical masks for students who are in need.
• Students should reserve ample time to enter the venue by batches to avoid crowd gathering at the entrance of the venue.
• Course teachers should arrange a suitable venue for the class/laboratory session where social distancing can be enforced.
• There should be at least one meter apart between students in the seating arrangement. Students may also be arranged to sit in single rows with a ‘face-to-back’ setting (to face one direction), or chessboard-style seating arrangement.
• Proper physical distance for group activities should also be arranged. Avoid any close contact in classes, e.g. activities/games involving body contact. For teaching/learning activities to be conducted in groups, please always follow the Government’s announcement on the number of persons allowed for group gatherings in the arrangements. For PE and Music courses, course teachers also need to follow specific guidelines of relevant government offices in conducting the classes.
• Arrange students to take turn to use the laboratory in sessions and enforce proper social distancing.
• Proper cleaning and disinfection of the venues MUST be done every day.
• Try to maintain good indoor ventilation of the venue, e.g. open the windows, if possible.

3. During the class/laboratory session

• All students and course teachers are required to put on surgical masks all through the class/laboratory session.
• No eating or drinking is allowed inside the venue.

4. After the class/laboratory session

Arrange students to leave the venue in batches, so as not to crowd the exits.

5. Contact Tracing

If in the unfortunate situation that a confirmed COVID-19 case is identified and who has attended the class/laboratory session, the course teachers concerned should report to the University’s Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) immediately, and contact the management unit of the venue to arrange disinfection, and provide contact list of participants of the class/laboratory session to the offices concerned to facilitate efficient contact tracing.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

It is truly gratifying to see that the new term has gotten off to an excellent start, despite the trying circumstances. The University spares no effort to ensure that teaching and learning continue to forge ahead, with enhanced IT support and timely pedagogical interventions. A student survey and a teacher survey have already been conducted, to facilitate further improvements. Every member of the University deserves our heartfelt thanks, for their understanding and dedication in keeping the fire of education and research alight, under what can only be described as deeply distressing conditions.

Although thankfully the current wave of COVID-19 infections in Hong Kong has subsided, continued vigilance is absolutely necessary. The resurgence of cases after reopening of schools in some parts of the world reminds us of the need to make decisions on a rational basis. The health and wellbeing of our students and staff will continue to be our primary concern and guide our response to the pandemic.

From October 2020, the University will be gradually implementing the following measures.

Teaching Arrangements

A curated “hybrid” mode—a carefully planned combination of face-to-face and synchronous online academic activities—will define most teaching and learning under the “new normal”, without compromising the desired learning outcomes. With the considerably stabilized conditions in Hong Kong, we can now recalibrate the pedagogical equation to include more face-to-face academic activities. This applies especially to higher-level undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, as well as lab/studio/practicum-based courses, for which face-to-face interactions are particularly beneficial. The University has been working closely with the Faculties, in consultation with Departments and course instructors, on the plan to resume face-to-face teaching activities in a gradual manner, with the aim of balancing pedagogical needs and health risk of the campus community.

Social distancing measures will be put in place to ensure that face-to-face teaching is conducted safely. These include setting limits to seating capacity in lecture theatres and seminar rooms, as well as taking attendance to facilitate contact tracing, should it become necessary.  As some students may be unable to return to campus for various reasons, including travel restrictions, all classes will have an online option.  For these students, individual consultations with the course instructors will provide additional support. 

Changes to the mode of teaching for individual courses will be announced on CUSIS, and sufficient time will be allowed for students to add/ drop courses.

Hostel Accommodation

To safeguard student health and safety, and indeed that of the entire community, all hostel rooms in the nine Colleges will be converted to single occupancy. Consequently, the number of available hostel places will be significantly reduced. We recognize that final-year undergraduate students face added challenges in completing their graduation requirements. For that reason, final-year students with previously allocated hostel places will be accorded priority in taking up College accommodation. Residential space will also be set aside by the University and Colleges for contingency purpose.

There is no change to hostel fees for those originally assigned a double occupancy room. The standing rule that no visitors are allowed to stay overnight will be strictly enforced in all nine Colleges. Subject to availability, other students with special needs to stay on campus may be admitted by their respective Colleges. Further details will be forthcoming from the Colleges shortly. For postgraduate students, separate admission processes are already in place at the Postgraduate Halls.

Infection Control Measures

We are likely to have to live with the new coronavirus for the foreseeable future. If all of us take full responsibility in adhering to the needed infection control measures, we will be able to overcome whatever challenges that lie ahead. At the University, smart thermal cameras have been installed in relatively high-density areas, and vending machines dispensing masks have been deployed at various locations on campus. All lecture theatres and classrooms have also been sprayed with a long-lasting disinfectant coating. Wearing a mask is a proven measure in protecting oneself and others from possible infection. Social distancing, not only in the classrooms or libraries but also in canteens and common rooms, and practices of personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing, will go a long way in keeping the campus safe. To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, campus members should avoid group gatherings and are strongly advised NOT to conduct any large-scale events or events involving catering.

Please remember that, by being considerate, we are contributing to the fight against COVID-19. In exemplifying the CUHK spirit, we are making a difference at a time when empathy and mutual help are particularly needed.

Please also let us take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and joyous Mid-Autumn Festival.

Yours sincerely,

Rocky S. Tuan                                                Alan K.L. Chan
Vice-Chancellor and President               Provost

中大就新學年安排的應變計劃，是以大學全體成員的健康和福祉作為首要考慮。大學一直密切注意及評估疫情發展，適時調整措施及制定方案，並與成員保持緊密聯繫。

中大本學期部分課堂將於10月起恢復面授，課堂將以混合模式進行。在此安排下，學生可根據情況及老師安排選擇回校或繼續透過網上學習。其他課堂仍將以網上形式進行，面授課堂包括個別必要的實驗或實習活動，必須在嚴謹的健康及安全措施下，方可容許以面對面形式進行。大學投放了大量心力及資源，務求網上及混合模式教學可以達致最佳教學成效。我們提升了多項硬件和軟件，教師們亦用心設計了創新的教學方法，在上學期網上課程的成功基礎之上，精益求精。

詳情請參閱註冊及考試組於9月2日向同學發出的電郵：http://www.res.cuhk.edu.hk/en-gb/undergraduate-students/announcements-notices-mass-mailing/1714-class-arrangements-and-course-add-drop-term-1-2020-21

The first teaching day of 1^st term 2020-21 will begin on 7 September 2020.  Please pay attention to the following pertaining to class arrangements and course add/drop of this academic term.

1. Always observe the announcements of the University on this website: https://againstcovid19.cuhk.edu.hk/ on latest update on teaching and examination arrangements.
2. All classes will adopt online teaching in September. Departments/course teachers concerned should inform students who have registered the class about the teaching platform (e.g. Blackboard, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) for online teaching and related arrangements.  If you do not receive such information from the course teachers concerned before your first class, please enquire with the course offering department concerned.
3. For class arrangements from October onwards, please also observe the announcements of the University if there are any further updates.  For classes that have already been given approval to have face-to-face or mixed-mode teaching, course teachers should advise students who have registered the classes about the meeting dates, the time (that should follow the teaching timetable) and the venues.  Please note that the teaching mode listed in the Teaching Timetable is subject to change, therefore, students should always observe the announcements/notices of the University, the course offering departments and the course teachers concerned to keep themselves updated of the latest class arrangements.
4. For students who have difficulty to attend the online teaching at their own venues due to special reasons, they should report to the course teachers concerned.  If the reasons are considered justifiable by the course teachers and if they cannot find other campus facilities to attend the online classes, RES can assist the students by assigning appropriate classrooms for their online classes.
5. For students who would like to audit the classes during the course add/drop period, please observe the announcements of the departments concerned, or to contact the course teachers/departments concerned to learn about the teaching platform and related details (e.g. Meeting ID and password for ZOOM meeting).  Departments may also invite those students who are in the wait lists to sit in the classes, if deemed appropriate.
6. For course add/drop arrangements, please observe the detailed information on RES homepage.  The following points are highlighted for your attention.
   • Students should use the system functions under CUSIS for course add/drop during 14 September (8:30 p.m. Monday) to 20 September (8:30 p.m. Sunday) except for courses with “add/drop consent”.  In order to free up the quotas for other students, students should DROP the courses under CUSIS as soon as possible and by 8:30 p.m. on 20 September if they no longer intend to register for the course.  Departments may NOT allow any drop of the courses during 21-25 September except for very special reasons.
   • Students on wait list will enroll automatically whenever the quota is increased, or when the quota is freed up by other students.  There is no separate e-mail notification.  Therefore, students MUST check their updated course enrolment under “View My Classes” on a daily basis.
   • Students who need to seek approval for course enrolment at course offering departments concerned may do so during 21 – 25 September.  They may follow the notice of the Departments to send by e-mail the appropriate course registration form (available at RES homepage) to departments concerned.
   • Students should observe Regulation 5.0 Course Load and Selection in the General Regulations Governing Full-time Undergraduate Studies regarding the prescribed course load of at least 9 units and no more than 18 units of courses to be registered in any academic term within the normative study period, unless there are exceptions as allowed by the Regulations.  RES will send e-mail reminders to students concerned if students have such course load problem.

If you have any further questions on the above, please send e-mail to RES (ugadmin@cuhk.edu.hk) or contact us by 3943 9888.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces that daytime dine-in services for breakfast and lunch in CUHK canteens will resume from tomorrow (31 July).  Infection control measures for the dine-in arrangement will be in accordance with the Government regulations. For the details of opening hours and arrangements, please contact the respective canteens or visit https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/campus/accommodation.html#canteen_info

For more information, please visit Act Together Against COVID-19 website.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

In our previous letter dated 30 June 2020, we mapped out a plan for the start of the 2020–21 academic year. While we were mindful of a possible resurgence of COVID-19 in Hong Kong and had planned for it, the situation then allowed resumption of on-campus face-to-face teaching and learning with safe social distancing and other health protection measures in place. Today, with the alarming surge of COVID-19 in Hong Kong and many other parts of the world, it is evident that we need to raise the emergency response level and activate our contingency plan for the Fall Term.  To ensure the health and wellbeing of our students and staff, the following measures will now be put in place:

1. All student orientation activities will be conducted online. Social distancing, avoidance of group gatherings and minimizing the use of public transport will help mitigate the spread of infection.
2. Classes will be conducted online until such time as the pandemic stabilizes. Given the valuable experience gained in the last academic year and the continued investment in enhancing our e-learning capacity, including synchronous teaching, we are confident that online teaching will be able to achieve the desired learning outcomes while keeping our students and staff safe from possible infection. With strong pedagogical justification, exceptions may be granted for lab/studio/practicum-based and professional undergraduate and postgraduate courses on a case-by-case basis. No effort will be spared, including assistance for students with special needs, in providing a fruitful learning experience for all students. Further details will be forthcoming when the timetable is finalized, and advance notice will be given for any subsequent changes.
3. Students currently residing outside Hong Kong are strongly advised not to return to campus at this time. This may necessitate changes to your travel arrangements, but your health and safety must come first. For students who have already started their journey or are unable to change their travel plans, please be reminded that stringent medical testing at the port of entry, and for some areas, port of embarkation, will be required. Compulsory quarantine upon arrival will also be strictly observed. Your affiliated Colleges and hostels will be in touch soon to provide support and guidance.
4. Hostel applications for local students will be suspended until further notice. Students domiciled locally are advised to avoid crowded places and make every effort to keep COVID-19 at bay. You will hear from your affiliated College on the specific arrangements.

We understand that the above measures will cause considerable disruption, and understandably, disappointment. The recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong and elsewhere teaches us how little we know of this disease and how important it is to be able to respond quickly and responsibly. We would like to reiterate that the health and wellbeing of our campus community remains our top priority, and we seek your understanding and continued support as we navigate together through this difficult time. With a concerted community effort, COVID-19 can be contained, if not defeated.

This will not be the last time we write before the Fall Term commences. There may be further adjustments, and alternative plans based on different scenarios are in place. We will of course continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you informed.

In the meantime, we wish you a safe and productive summer.

Yours sincerely,

Rocky S. Tuan                                                Alan K.L. Chan
Vice-Chancellor and President               Provost

In view of the worsening risk of the spread of COVID-19, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces special work arrangements that will be implemented from tomorrow (20 July). Except for those staff providing essential and necessary services, staff members whose work permits offsite handling are not required to return to office but should work from home. This temporary arrangement will last for one week until 26 July and the University will closely monitor and review the situation as appropriate. Staff members will be informed of the detailed arrangements by their respective department/unit heads.

All face-to-face teaching and learning activities on campus will be suspended until 26 July.

During this period, the out-patient services of the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual. The shuttle bus service on campus will be limited to the special H-line (service available during 07:30-23:20), while the paid shuttle light bus services will remain unchanged. For details of the opening hours of other facilities of the University, please refer to the announcements of the respective offices.

In view of the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in HK, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (the University) will adopt the following arrangements to safeguard the health and safety of all students and staff:

(1) Class arrangement:
The 2019 – 2020 summer session has ended on 11 July. The University will closely monitor the situation and announce any changes to the teaching arrangements for the new semester, should they become necessary.

(2) Work arrangement from 14 July:
All departments and units will maintain normal services and operation. The University encourages all Department/ Unit heads to exercise flexibility under practical and allowable circumstances according to operational needs, including staggered reporting time and lunch hours, or work-from-home where the job nature permits.

Those who feel ill are advised to seek immediate medical consultation, inform their unit heads of the situation and stay home.

The University’s Emergency Response Group has prepared a list of emergency measures in case any staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is classified as a close contact by the Department of Health. The University calls upon all staff to stay vigilant against COVID-19 and wishes everyone good health and safety.

For more information on how the University is coping with COVID-19, please visit Act Together Against COVID-19 website.

Dear Students and Colleagues,

We write at a time when things are returning to something resembling normality in Hong Kong, while other parts of the world are still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Without letting our guard down or being overly optimistic, we would like to bring to your attention how we propose to start the new semester in the fall of 2020.

While the decision to move to online classes and home office on the first appearance of the COVID-19 threats in January needed to be swift and bold, that to re-open the campus and resume in-person teaching and activities must be cautious and thoroughly deliberated. At the first threats of the novel coronavirus, the Emergency Response Group was formed, led by the Vice-Chancellor and President and staffed by members of senior management and relevant heads of the professional and administrative services units. The Group has been meeting regularly and frequently to keep abreast of local and overseas developments and to deliberate on infection control and academic and work arrangements, always informed and advised by the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP). The Group also consulted and conferred with members of the Colleges, Faculties, other units and outside parties and experts to arrive at decisions and take necessary actions in the face of fast-changing challenges.

What will the Fall Term look like?

We are pleased to state that we now feel confident in commencing the Fall Term of 2020–21 on 7 September as originally scheduled. That said, the health and well-being of our campus population must remain our top priority and every effort will be made to ensure that our campus is free from infection while pursuing our educational objectives and goals. If there is one overarching rule that should inform all our academic and non-academic undertakings, it is physical distancing. Needless to say, physical distancing will be enforced in all places and at all times to prevent infection and implement containment if the intractable virus should find its way into our campus.

With this in mind, we have conducted various simulations and estimated that we should be able to accommodate face-to-face teaching for more than 80% of the classes scheduled for the Fall Term, provided the timetable is stretched and classrooms fully utilized. This may inconvenience some students and faculty, and understanding and patience will be much appreciated.

However, the need to avoid large gatherings and to cater for unforeseen emergencies means that online teaching and learning will still be a part of the “new normal”. There should be minimal cause for concern, as our students, faculty and staff, especially given the experience of the last school term, are now adept in making full use of technology in achieving the desired learning or work-related outcomes. We believe that, with the enhancement in WiFi connectivity and IT capabilities, online teaching and learning will only get better and better. Depending on the pedagogical needs of individual courses, a hybrid mode of online and in-person teaching will be the new norm, and very few of us will experience that sense of unwieldiness as we did a few months ago. You will hear more on the specifics of class scheduling and related arrangements from the Provost, the Registry and/or individual Departments/Divisions in the days to come.

What are the key infection control measures on campus?

A safe campus is a prerequisite to the success of the new term. Various precautionary measures have been or will be implemented to ensure that students will be able to pursue their studies and staff to carry out their work on campus as safely and effectively as possible, including but not limited to the following:

1. Face masks have to be worn at all times on campus, particularly on school buses and in indoor areas.
2. There will be body temperature checkpoints at key University venues, together with supplies of hand sanitizers and face mask vending machines.
3. Cleaning and sanitizing regimes will be instituted in common areas, including classrooms, libraries, and sports grounds, and in facilities such as elevators and buses.
4. There will be protocols of entry to and exit from classrooms and laboratories as well as of seating arrangement (at least 1.5 m apart, all facing one direction and alternate seating) to effect the optimal level of physical distancing in both lectures and tutorials.
5. The medical team at the University Health Service will take care of the sick and facilitate virus testing in suspected cases or for those that come in close contact therewith.

What is the arrangement for student residents?

The University and all nine Colleges are making every effort to facilitate new and returning non-local students to fulfil the compulsory home quarantine requirements, if applicable, before the Fall Term starts on 7 September. Students will be arranged to arrive on campus in a staggered manner starting from as early as mid-July. Such an arrangement naturally presents considerable practical challenges. Individual Colleges and hostels will exercise their specific arrangements to balance the inauguration of residential life with compliance of public health regulations in terms of self-isolation or compulsory home quarantine. It is therefore important that residents pay close attention to the specific timeframes and logistics of individual Colleges and hostels and, in the case of those coming from abroad, plan their itineraries carefully. For those who arrive late for the beginning of the term due to reasons beyond their control, we will also make alternative arrangements to keep the disruption to their studies and campus life to a minimum.

For local student residents, we expect that you can check-in on 5 September as long as the coronavirus pandemic remains under control. However, the physical settings, operations and activities in hostels will be adjusted to comply with the infection control and social distancing guidelines. We will also need to set aside contingency residential space to accommodate a possible resurgence of infections in Hong Kong. We hope that all members will continue to demonstrate flexibility and patience, as well as a collaborative community spirit during this uncertain time.

Brace for the New Normal

Physical distancing also means that many events, gatherings and co-curricular activities have to be scaled down or closely regulated from the public health angle. A task force under the Emergency Response Group has issued the “Referencing Guidelines for Social and Non-academic Events during COVID-19” to provide guidance on the planning and operation of on-campus events. The guidelines will be updated and kept commensurate with the current public health measures and regulations. We will also continue to implement access control into the University for better crowd management and contact tracing should it become necessary.

With all the necessary measures in place, we are confident that CUHK is turning a new leaf in its annals in a thoughtful and orderly manner. Credits must go to our students, staff, alumni and donors who have not only been doing their parts most diligently, but also going beyond the call of duty in many instances to help the University as a whole to navigate this challenging time. No words can adequately describe our gratitude to these dedicated members of the CUHK family. We are particularly heartened by the enthusiastic responses to the CU RElief (CURE) Fund which has already raised funds to make available employment opportunities for over 300 of our graduates. It is this spirit of solidarity and looking out for each other that gives us the confidence that we can ride out the pandemic challenge together.

While the world eagerly awaits the development of a vaccine targeted against SARS-Cov-2 and effective treatments for COVID-19, CUHK will remain vigilant on all fronts to safeguard the well-being of all members of the CUHK community. The Emergency Response Group will continue to execute its responsibilities dutifully to meet current and future challenges related to COVID-19. We will keep monitoring and assessing the situation and keep you posted in an expedient and timely manner.

Yours sincerely,

Rocky S. Tuan                                                Alan K.L. Chan
Vice-Chancellor and President               Provost

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the global community and to members of the university. To support university members during the current period of adversity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) launched the CU RElief Fund (CURE Fund), which aims to provide assistance and support to members who are adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to enhance the resilience of the CUHK community. 

The main relief objectives of the CURE Fund are:

(1) To provide on-campus part-time job opportunities with student helper allowance for current CUHK full-time undergraduate students to help alleviate their financial stress;

(2) To provide short-term job opportunities at the University for graduating students of the class of 2020 and alumni of the class of 2019. The CURE Fund Management Committee is also in discussion with various organizations to create job opportunities.  The aim is to help graduating students and young alumni to gain work experience and competitiveness in the face of high unemployment rate and declining job openings during the current severe economic downturn; and  

(3) To provide interest-free emergency loans for full-time staff members in junior posts (on Terms of Service C and equivalent terms) to ease their families’ financial difficulties.

Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, along with all seven Pro-Vice-Chancellors/Vice-Presidents, will donate 15% of their salaries for the remaining months of the current year to seed the CURE Fund. 

CUHK is calling for donations to support the CURE Fund and to help CUHK members in need to overcome adversity. The University also sincerely invites interested organizations to offer job opportunities for graduating students and young alumni. Please contact the CURE Fund Management Committee for details (tel: 3943-1931; email: curefund@cuhk.edu.hk).

For information on donation and application, please visit www.cuhk.edu.hk/oia/cure-fund

To              All undergraduate students
From        Provost, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Registrar
Enquiry   registrar@cuhk.edu.hk

Dear students, 

The University has announced earlier that all Summer Session courses will be conducted online. In the light of the improving conditions in the recent development of COVID-19, and the Government’s gradual relaxation of related measures, the University has reviewed the situation and decided that some face-to-face teaching and learning activities may be allowed for courses offered in the Summer Session, subject to the two most important concerns of student and staff safety, as well as pedagogical needs being met. 

The following arrangements for undergraduate courses offered in the Summer Session will be adopted:

1. Online teaching and learning may be complemented with carefully planned face-to-face meetings.
2. Face-to-face meetings (including lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions) will be limited to a maximum of 50 students at any one time.
3. Online instruction will be provided for students not residing in Hong Kong and students who choose not to return to campus.
4. Students with chronic illness or other medical conditions are advised to stay home for the time being.
5. On-campus examinations that require invigilation may be conducted face-to-face for students residing in Hong Kong at the time of examination. This is not applicable to other forms of assessment as stated in the assessment schemes of individual courses, such as term paper, projects, thesis, practicum etc.
6. For those courses that will have face-to-face classes and examinations, special online arrangements will be made by individual course teachers for non-local students who are not residing in Hong Kong for the classes and at the time of the examinations.  Special arrangements will also be made for students with medical or special needs.
7. All classes/ learning activities/ examinations conducted face-to-face must observe safe distancing and other precautionary measures as specified by the University.
8. Pass/ Fail grading option for all courses in Summer Session will be offered, except for courses specified by the Faculty/ Offering unit concerned, capped at a maximum of 3 credit units, exclusive of Physical Education courses.
9. The normal procedure for Summer Session late course add/ drop will be observed.

Details of the arrangements will be announced by the Registration and Examinations Section (RES) shortly.

I would like to remind all students once again that although Term GPA is not applicable to Summer Session, if they have opted the Pass/Fail grading for any courses that they registered in the Summer Session 2019-20, the grades obtained (i.e. Pass or Fail) will not contribute to the Major GPA where applicable, and Cumulative GPA. Students are strongly advised to consult their Academic Advisors and Major Departments before making their choice, which is irrevocable.

As you are all fully engaged in your examinations, and the Second Term is coming to close, I wish you all the best in your examinations, and more importantly, stay healthy.

Provost
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Registrar 

To            Postgraduate Students who have registered courses in Term 2, 2019-20
                  (or Term 3 of specific taught postgraduate programmes)
From      Graduation School

The University has started online teaching in as early as mid-February 2020 and detailed guidelines have been formulated to enhance the smooth conduct of online teaching and assessment. Online teaching has been running smoothly at CUHK by and large. In general, the University is pleased that the online classes have been going well and the desired learning outcomes delivered as planned without compromise.

Nevertheless, the University understands the anxiety and worries of many of our students under such an unprecedented circumstance, especially those who lack a home environment that is conducive to learning. After very serious consideration, we have decided that the following arrangements be adopted on a one-off basis for postgraduate (PG) courses offered in Term 2 (or Term 3 for some specific taught postgraduate programmes) of 2019-20, except for courses of professional programmes or certain other courses as decided by the Graduate Division/Faculty/Offering Unit concerned.  We believe that the arrangements will strike a good balance and address both the students’ concerns as well as our faculty’s concern for academic standards.

i.   Late-drop option for all courses offered in Term 2, 2019-20, subject to the approval of the Graduate Division concerned; and

ii.   Pass/Fail grading option for all courses offered in Term 2, 2019-20, except for courses of professional programmes or certain other courses as decided by the Graduate Division/Faculty/Offering Unit concerned, capped at a maximum of 6 credit units.

Please refer to the attachment for more details.

Graduate School

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces that the Chung Chi College entrance (Chung Chi Gate) on Tai Po Road will be reopened to vehicles and pedestrians at 8 am, 28 April (Tuesday). The campus access management measures will remain in place. If the vehicle does not carry a valid CUHK parking permit, the driver or passenger shall present their CU Link cards or other CUHK identity proofs. Alumni going to the campus shall present their Alumni Library Cards or CU Alumni Credit Cards to prove their identity. Pedestrians are required to present their CUHK related identity proofs.  Persons who fail to present the aforesaid identity proofs are required to register their identity information with the security guard.

The No. 2 Bridge (the Bridge), after installation of reinforcing fences on newly built roadbeds, has been handed back from the Highways Department to the University for management in late March. The surface of the Bridge and its connecting roads have been severely damaged earlier. As a result of the above-mentioned fencing construction works, the Bridge has been narrowed from the original two-lane road to a single-lane road. The University is required to make repairs on the roads and implement appropriate traffic arrangement, the works on which will soon be completed. The University will reopen the Bridge to vehicle and pedestrian traffic at 8 am, 28 April.

Repair and New Traffic Arrangements of No. 2 Bridge are as follows:

Road Repair

The roads on the Bridge and its immediate surroundings have been severely damaged. The University has to repair and re-patch the road surface. New traffic signs have to be painted and erected.  Damaged pedestrian fencing have to be re-installed.

New Traffic Arrangements

(1) Pedestrian Road

• A pavement will be retained on the south side of the Bridge allowing pedestrians to travel between Campus Circuit East and the East Gate at Science Park Road as before.

(2) Vehicular Road

• The repaired Bridge will be narrowed from its original two-lane road to single-lane road. A heavy load limit of 24 tons will be implemented. Any vehicles over the limit will not be allowed to pass across the Bridge.
• The total length of the Bridge and its connecting roads is around 200 meters. There are right-angle turns at both ends of the bridge, and the arch-shape of the bridge forms a terrain which obscures drivers’ ability to see approaching vehicles from a distance. Traffic accidents have occurred at the scene multiple times in the past.
• The University has reviewed the feasibility of adopting one-lane two-way traffic by installing traffic signals.  Field trial tests using various types of vehicles have also been conducted. The results showed that if in the case that a vehicle jumps a red light in a one-lane two-way traffic scenario, the traffic will be easily paralysed or even cause a serious traffic accident in the case of a head-on collision.
• As the University considers safety a top priority, to avoid the likelihood of having traffic paralysis and serious accidents, the repaired road will become one-lane one-way traffic. Vehicles can only use the Bridge to enter Campus Circuit East from the East Gate.

The University acknowledges that the above arrangements may cause inconvenience to some drivers. Nonetheless, for the safety of all road users, the University hopes colleagues will understand the necessity of the new traffic arrangements on this road section.

In view of the continuing surge of confirmed cases and the spread of COVID-19, the University is obliged to take further precautionary measures to safeguard the health and well-being of its members. In this regard, the University has decided to impose additional necessary social distancing measures on campus starting from today (30 March). Except for emergency and essential activities critical to the operation of the University, all forms of activity and social gathering among students and staff in campus will be reduced to a minimal level to prevent infection. These measures include the following:

Restaurants, canteens and communal areas

Restaurants and canteens on campus are required to maintain precautionary measures including allowing no more than 4 persons to sit together at one table, performing body temperature screening on each customer before entering the catering premises, and all customers must wear a mask at any time except when consuming food or drink. Social distancing measures in all communal areas, study rooms, and pantries in College hostels should now be strictly observed to avoid gatherings of more than 4 people.

Laboratories

Research activities in laboratories should be maintained at a minimal level as far as applicable. Staff and students should observe strict social distancing measures to avoid gatherings of over 4 people at any one time. Face masks should be worn at all times.

All the above measures will take effect immediately and until further notice. The University will continue to closely monitor the situation and review the actions taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For more information on how the University is coping with COVID-19, please visit Act Together Against COVID-19 website.

This set of guidelines is solely applicable to CUHK outgoing exchange students who have enrolled courses in partner institutions during 2019-20 Term 2 but are unable to complete the courses using face-to-face mode at the partner institutions due to COVID-19 either because they have returned to (or planned to return to) Hong Kong or their home towns, or the partner institutions have suspended face-to-face classes with no alternatives for students to continue their learnings. The arrangements will enable students to continue their studies and earn credits accordingly.

1. 1. 1. Credit Transfer: If online courses or other remote learning options are offered by the partner institutions for students to complete the courses, students should abide by the arrangement and then apply for credit transfer at CUHK as usual.
      2. Enroll in a CUHK Term 2 Course: If the student has already planned/communicated with the course teacher concerned the application for credit transfer for the course(s) taken at the partner institution during his/her exchange, the student can late add the relevant course at CUHK with the consent and agreement of the course teacher.
         • The student can late add the course as soon as possible even though s/he has not yet returned to Hong Kong since all courses are at present conducted online. S/he can add the course by completing and returning the “Late Course Add/Drop Form” to RES, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
         • The student is allowed to late drop the course at the end of the term if s/he is unable to catch up with the progress.
         • An alternative assessment scheme can be tailor-made for the student by the course teacher if deemed appropriate and as decided by the course teacher.
         • Subject to the consent and agreement of the course teacher, the concerned student will be offered the option of P/F grading for the course, which will not contribute to the calculation of all forms of GPAs. The final decision on whether the option of P/F grading is available to the concerned student is rested with the respective Assessment Panel of the course and should be made known to the student prior to his/her enrollment of the course. Since the P/F grading will not be included in GPA calculation, students are advised to consider carefully when considering the option.
         • Course completion with grade (using the title of the CUHK course) will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2.
      3. Independent Study:If no relevant courses are being offered in the current term at CUHK, a student can complete his/her study with credits by pursuing an “Independent Study” course. Detailed arrangements are as follows:
         • Please consult the Chair of the Department (that offers the course the student has initially planned to apply for credit transfer) to identify a teacher to design an “Independent Study” scheme for him/her to complete the rest of the course.
         • The level of the course and number of credit units of the course will be decided by the teacher. The student can enroll in the course by completing the “Late Course Add/Drop Form” and return it to RES as soon as possible, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
         • The use of MOOC courses and other online materials may be used to support “Independent Study”.
         • Students are allowed to late drop the “Independent Study” if they experience difficulties in completing the course.
         • The course will be graded in P/F and will not be included in GPA calculation. Students who get a “P” in the course will gain the number of credit units, and the total number of credits that a student can gain from “Independent Study” courses should not be more than 9 units.
         • Course completion with grade of the “Independent Study” course will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2 or Summer Session, depending on the time that the course is completed by the student. In any case, Students should complete the “Independent Study” no later than 11 July 2020 (the end of the Summer Session).
      4. Specially Offered Courses: Most students on exchange take only a few courses at the partner institutions. Upon their return to Hong Kong or their hometowns, they may wish to take more courses. The University has made special arrangements to offer the following General Education courses for students to take. If there are more course offerings by Departments/Units, separate announcement will be made.
         (i) UGEA2334 China Today;
         (ii) UGEB2262 From Genes to Life;
         (iii) UGEC1281 Understanding Japanese Languages and Culture; and
         (iv) UGED1810 Critical Thinking

   Please note that:

   1. • These four courses will commence from the week of 6 April 2020, and the duration will be 13 weeks as usual.
      • These courses will be offered online.
      • Each course will be offered provided that the course enrollment number is higher than 10.
      • Course completion with grade will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Summer Session.
      • Students who intend to take these specially offered courses can check the timetable information on the homepage of Office of University General Education and other course details on CUSIS from this Friday (27 March 2020). Registration of these courses will be open from 10:00 a.m. on 31 March 2020 to 5:00 p.m. on 1 April 2020 on CUSIS.
   2. Study Plan: Students can follow the arrangements stated in Paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) to complete the courses they have enrolled in partner institutions. Students should consult and seek help from their Academic Advisors to devise a Study Plan with the best alternatives to suit their individual needs and situation. Teachers will also assist students to devise a long-term plan that covers not only the study of this term but also future ones.
   3. Summer Session: The University will increase its course offering during the Summer Session. Students who wish to take more than 6 units of courses in the Summer Session should submit applications to their respective Faculties for approval. Detailed information on course registration, teaching timetable and relevant application forms for Summer Session courses will be published on RES homepage on 15 April 2020. Course registration will be scheduled on CUSIS from 27-29 April 2020.
   4. Academic Advice: Students are strongly urged to communicate with and seek advice from their Academic Advisors or the course teachers concerned in making their decisions for the choice of courses. Please contact Ms Carol Chao (39438968) of the Registration and Examinations Section or e-mail to ugadmin@cuhk.edu.hk for any enquiries concerning course registration.

This set of guidelines is solely applicable to CUHK outgoing exchange students who have enrolled courses in partner institutions during 2019-20 Term 2 and Term 3 but are unable to complete the courses using face-to-face mode at the partner institutions due to COVID-19 either because they have returned to (or planned to return to) Hong Kong or their home towns, or the partner institutions have suspended face-to-face classes with no alternatives for students to continue their learnings. The arrangements will enable students to continue their studies and earn credits accordingly.

1. 1. Credit Transfer: If online courses or other remote learning options are offered by the partner institutions for students to complete the courses, students should abide by the arrangement and then apply for credit transfer at CUHK as usual.
   2. Enroll in a CUHK Term 2 and 3 Course: If the student has already planned/communicated with the course teacher concerned the application for credit transfer for the course(s) taken at the partner institution during his/her exchange, the student can late add the relevant course at CUHK with the consent and agreement of the course teacher.
      • The student can late add the course as soon as possible even though s/he has not yet returned to Hong Kong since all courses are at present conducted online. S/he can add the course by submitting a written request to the Graduate Division for endorsement and the Graduate School for approval, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
      • The student is allowed to late drop the course at the end of the term if s/he is unable to catch up with the progress.
      • An alternative assessment scheme can be tailor-made for the student by the course teacher if deemed appropriate and as decided by the course teacher.
      • Subject to the consent and agreement of the course teacher, the concerned student will be offered the option of P/F grading for the course, which will not contribute to the calculation of all forms of GPAs. The final decision on whether the option of P/F grading is available to the concerned student is rested with the respective Assessment Panel of the course and should be made known to the student prior to his/her enrollment of the course. Since the P/F grading will not be included in GPA calculation, students are advised to consider carefully when considering the option.
      • Course completion with grade (using the title of the CUHK course) will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2 and Term 3.
   3. Independent Study: If no relevant courses are being offered in the current term at CUHK, a student can complete his/her study with credits by pursuing an “Independent Study” course, subject to the approval of the respective Graduate Division Heads and Programme Directors. Detailed arrangements are as follows:
      • Please consult the Graduate Division Head or Programme Director to identify a teacher to design an “Independent Study” scheme for him/her to complete the rest of the course.
      • The level of the course and number of credit units of the course will be decided by the teacher. The student can enroll in the course by submitting a written request to the Graduate School via his/her Graduate Division, preferably on or before 9 April 2020.
      • The use of MOOC courses and other online materials may be used to support “Independent Study”.
      • Students are allowed to late drop the “Independent Study” if they experience difficulties in completing the course.
      • The course will be graded in P/F and will not be included in GPA calculation. Students who get a “P” in the course will gain the number of credit units, and the total number of credits that a student can gain from “Independent Study” courses should not be more than 9 units.
      • Course completion with grade of the “Independent Study” course will be indicated in the student transcript of 2019-20 Term 2, Term 3 or Summer Session, depending on the time that the course is completed by the student. In any case, Students should complete the “Independent Study” no later than the end of the Summer Session.
   4. Study Plan: Students can follow the arrangements stated in Paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) to complete the courses they have enrolled in partner institutions. Students should consult and seek help from their Academic Advisors or Programme Directors to devise a Study Plan with the best alternatives to suit their individual needs and situation. Programme Directors will also assist students to devise a long-term plan that covers not only the study of this term but also future ones.
   5. Academic Advice: Students are strongly urged to communicate with and seek advice from their Academic Advisors/Programme Directors or the course teachers concerned in making their decisions for the choice of courses.
   6. Please contact your Graduate Division for advice on study plan and the Graduate School Office by email (gradschool@cuhk.edu.hk) for any enquiries concerning course registration.

From Monday 30 March ALL CUHK libraries, including the Learning Garden in the University Library and the Medical Library will be temporarily closed for two weeks to reduce the risk from Covid-19. The Library’s electronic collection and remote support from Library staff will still be available to support your learning and research.

In view of the latest development in the COVID-19 pandemic, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will step up the precautionary measures to further reduce the risks of the novel coronavirus infection arising from social contacts. The University has decided to close all sports and communal facilities on campus starting from today (27 March 2020) until further notice. This also applies to the leisure facilities and common rooms in the student hostels and staff quarters.

CUHK libraries have been closed except the Li Ping Medical Library (open 24/7 unstaffed) and part of the University Library’s Learning Garden, which are open for CUHK students and staff. To support learning and teaching, a book retrieval service is available for CUHK students and staff during this period.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection also recommends that students and staff should take appropriate precautionary measures when dining at restaurants and canteens in the campus, maintain social distancing and avoid having meals face-to-face to reduce the risk of virus transmission. For those facilities which need to remain open to maintain essential services, the University will impose all practicable precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

It has been more than two months since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Although we very much hope to resume face-to-face teaching during this term when the situation allows, we are facing the most recent development of COVID-19 into a pandemic disease. Since the well-being and health of students and staff are of the University’s utmost concern, and in view of the situation in which a certain number of students, especially international students have returned to their home towns, the University has decided that all courses will continue to be conducted online until the end of Term 2 on 2 May 2020. In addition, all courses of the Summer Session will also be conducted online. For the teaching arrangements of the Faculty of Medicine, please contact the relating office for details.

The University urges all CUHK members to be vigilant against COVID-19, observe risk mitigation measures and maintain social distance to prevent infection. For more information on how the University is coping with COVID-19, please visit Act Together Against COVID-19 website.

Given the rapid rise in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases outside of Hong Kong, CUHK strongly recommends all students (especially those in regions with the Red Outbound Travel Alert) to return home as soon as possible under safe and feasible conditions.  Your safety is our utmost concern.  Students are invited to consider the following options.

Option 1: Return home (Hong Kong or your hometown)

1. Take courses remotely offered by your host institution.  Your host institution may have already announced or may soon announce the transition to online learning and assessment for the remainder of the term. OAL will continue to clarify with partner institutions who have not made an official announcement on online learning and assessments arrangements.
2. Take CUHK courses.  All exchange students should be able to receive credits this term despite the interruptions.  If your host institution does not allow for remote learning,  you will be able to take CUHK courses.  The University will increase its course offering during the University Summer Session and offer alternatives which will be announced in due course.
3. Take a mix of A & B. 

We understand additional costs will be incurred with the sudden change of travel arrangements.  The University will provide up to HK$10,000 on reimbursement basis to subsidize cost of airfare for each student returning home early, effective 16 March 2020.

Option 2: Stay at your host institution

If you have assessed the situation carefully and wish to stay at your host institution, you may choose to continue the term at your host institution.  We will continue to stay in touch with you and your host institution to provide necessary support.  So please reach out to us if you need any assistance.  Our goal is to support and minimize disruptions to your learning during this challenging time.

Please indicate your option by completing the online form before 11:59pm on 19 March (HK time) and notify your host institution. 

Please note all returning students must observe the Government’s compulsory quarantine requirements outline at https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html.  Keep in touch and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will host the “Class Acts” CUHK Online Talk Series for students between March and April to encourage ongoing learning at home and self-improvement by acquiring knowledge in various areas during the pandemic. Demonstrating the vibrant academic environment of CUHK, nine public lectures will be presented by CUHK scholars in simple terms, outstanding in their areas of expertise, through the video conferencing platform Zoom. The lectures are free to the public, in particular local secondary and college students and those from the Mainland and overseas countries.

The first lecture presented by Professor Alan Kam Leung CHAN, Provost of CUHK on the theme of “Higher Learning in the Era of Industry 4.0” will be held on 20 March and a Q & A session is arranged for greater interaction between the speaker and participants. The outstanding scholars from eight faculties, namely Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science and Social Science, will give their views on their respective areas of expertise. The topics cover artificial intelligence (AI), gravitational waves, the application of robots in education for Special Educational Needs students, and the law of treasure hunting, amongst others. Details of the lectures are as follows. For more information on the arrangement and speakers’ profiles, please visit https://againstcovid19.cuhk.edu.hk/class-acts-online-talk/.

Dear students and colleagues,

Latest Overseas Situation of COVID-19 and Revised Reporting Criteria for Suspected Cases of COVID-19

In view of the COVID-19 outbreak in certain countries/areas, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged the public against travelling to Hubei Province where there is widespread community transmission of COVID-19 virus, and to avoid unnecessary travel to other provinces/cities of Mainland China, Iran, Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto regions) and Korea.

The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection would like to advise the University members to avoid unnecessary travel. When travelling to countries/areas with community transmission of COVID-19 virus, they should avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong.

In light of the latest situation of COVID-19 overseas, CHP has updated the reporting criteria to enhance surveillance of suspected cases. Medical practitioners are requested to report to the CHP any individual fulfilling the following for further investigation:

–         Presented with fever or acute respiratory illness or pneumonia; and

–         Either one of the following conditions within 14 days before onset of symptom:

1. 1. 1. With travel history to a place with active community transmission of COVID-19; or
      2. Had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

–         Government’s “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (http://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html) 

–         Centre for Health Protection’s “Countries/areas with reported cases of COVID-19”

https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf)

–         Statutory notifiable infectious diseases in the First Schedule to the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599)

(https://cdis.chp.gov.hk/CDIS_CENO_ONLINE/disease.html)

Committee on Health Promotion and Protection

To protect our students, staff and the community from the risk of contracting the COVID-19 and to maintain our teaching activities for the semester, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has initiated online teaching on 17 February. With the joint efforts of our students and staff, the online teaching and learning has been running smoothly. The University welcomes feedback and will continue to make every effort to uphold teaching quality. The University also encourages students to maintain frequent communication with teachers and tutors.

At the same time, the University will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic and will make reference to the Government’s guidelines when deliberating on the date to resume on-campus classes. Students and staff will be given at least 4 weeks of advanced notice prior to the commencement of on-campus classes activities to allow sufficient preparation time.  

CUHK has launched a designated website “CUHK vs COVID-19 Announcements & Actions” to present in detail, our preventive measures and relevant information, as well as a special website to address the Frequently Asked Questions to combat the novel coronavirus infection. Students and staff are welcome to visit these websites for more information.

In response to the COVID-19 epidemic and the recently announced Mandatory Home Quarantine Order of the Hong Kong SAR Government, all students are strongly urged to stay home and not to return to the hostels. The aim is to protect students’ health by reducing the gathering of students and the possible spread of COVID-19.  

Resident students with genuine and fully justified needs to come back to student hostels must submit prior application to College Administration/Warden. Should the application be approved, the College/Hostel will make arrangement for the students according to the situation, including helping those who returned to Hong Kong from Mainland within the past 14 days to complete the 14–day Mandatory Home Quarantine order announced by the Government on 8 February.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (14 February) announces that online teaching for Term 2 will begin on 17 February as scheduled. Teachers and students shall attend real time online classes according to the teaching timetable. 

Relevant University units providing necessary services will resume limited on campus operations, beginning from 17 February, to support online teaching and provide related services. For other units, the special work-from-home arrangement will continue up to 23 February.

1.    Assistance for online teaching activities
To prepare for online teaching, the University has organised 22 online workshops, from 30 January to 14 February, to assist teachers, students and supporting staff from all faculties to get familiar with the online teaching facilities, and to provide trainings.

To reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, teachers are advised to conduct online teaching from home. Understanding some of the needs of individual teachers, the University has reserved classrooms and facilities in 3 teaching blocks for use by teachers, upon their requests, to conduct online teaching activities. Faculties and administrative staff will provide the support services where necessary.

The University has also launched a ‘Special Funding Scheme for Online Learning’ and solicits teachers to apply. Teachers are encouraged to propose projects leading to innovative solutions that may optimise online teaching.

The Library has introduced new services to support online teaching. This includes, where possible, automatically purchasing electronic versions of material in Course Reserves, and a digital course pack service to scan print-only materials for students in the class. Please check the Library website for details.  

Teachers can also visit the Teaching and Learning Arrangements website for details and other relevant information. 

2.    Assistance for online learning activities
To ensure the online courses would launch smoothly, the University has strengthened its network capacity and stability. Starting from next Monday (17 February), students should attend online classes according to the teaching timetable. Students who need hardware support can visit the University Financial Aid Schemes website for information on the related funding schemes. 

The Library has introduced a new print to e-copy service. CUHK staff and students can request an e-copy of an existing library print book if the e-copy is available. For books or journal without an e-version, the Library will try to obtain the licenses for the chapters or articles where possible. From February 17, the Library will begin a book retrieval service, and the Learning Garden will be partially opened. Please check the Library website for services to Support Remote Teaching and Learning.

Students can also visit eLearning@CUHK website for more information related to online learning. Students are advised to stay at home and not to return to the campus to safeguard their health. The University will closely monitor the development of the epidemic and resume on-campus teaching when circumstances allow. Related announcement will be issued 14 days in advance.  

3.    Campus operation arrangements
Given the beginning of the teaching semester would commence on 17 February, the departments/units providing the necessary services would resume operation with limited on-site services. Work arrangements for staff members will be made on mutual agreement according to the actual needs. For the staff members of other units, the special work-from-home arrangement will continue up to February 23.

Staff members will be informed of the detailed arrangements by their respective department/unit heads in due course. Staff members who have not yet submitted  the health declaration form and conducted self-medical surveillance as indicated by the University’s Committee on Health Promotion and Protection should do so as soon as possible, and no later than the first day of their returning to work.

4. Campus transportation services
From 17 February, school buses special line H will operate at 10-15 minutes’ intervals during rush hours, and at 20-minute intervals for the rest of the time. The paid shuttle light bus service will remain unchanged. Please visit the Transport Office website for details.

5. Infection prevention information
To provide useful information, CUHK has launched a new website ‘CUHK vs COVID-19 Announcements & Actions’ to list out measures and information in detail.

The University has also launched a special website to address the Frequently Asked Questions from students and staff on protective measures against the novel coronavirus infection. Students and staff are welcome to visit these websites for more information.

To reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) strongly urges that all students should stay at home and should not return to campus. The special work-from-home arrangement for CUHK staff will be extended to 16 February. 

(1) All students should not return to the campus
As the epidemic continues to spread in Hong Kong and may cause unobservable infection, in order to protect students’ health and reduce the risk of infection through sharing of facilities, the University strongly urges that all students (including local and non-local undergraduates and graduate students) should stay at home and should not return to campus or hostels. The University will closely monitor the development of the epidemic and resume on campus teaching once the circumstances allow. 

(2) Isolation arrangements for students who have travelled to the Mainland
For students currently residing in campus hostels, the University advises them to return home if feasible. For those students who have travelled to the Mainland within the past 14 days, they must observe the required self-isolation measures. All Colleges will make self-isolation arrangements for their students, who should check with their respective College or hostel for details. Any reportable cases will be reported by the University to the Centre for Health Protection. 

(3) Work-from-home arrangement for University staff
Except for those being called upon by the Heads of Departments/Units to provide essential services and where circumstances permit, University staff are not required to return to the office or relevant work sites but to continue to work from home until 16 February.

For staff who are required to return to offices, they should follow the advice from the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection for health declaration and self-medical surveillance.

The University will avoid assigning staff who have been to mainland China within the past 14 days to return to the office or relevant work sites to provide essential service. They are strongly advised to follow the Department of Health’s advice to stay home for 14 days upon their return, as far as practicable.

(4) Frequently asked questions (FAQ) 
The University has added a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to the website to address questions from students and staff on protective measures against the novel coronavirus infection. Please visit: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/whats-on/focus/antivirus-faq.html

The University has taken measures to require completion of the Health Declaration Form and Self-medical Surveillance Form by students/staff under applicable circumstances.

Online Health Declaration Form and Self-medical Surveillance Form are now available for use. Those with difficulty in making online submission should consult the warden/supervisor for alternative means of submission.

Students/staff should also refer to separate announcements by the Colleges/Faculties/Units, if any, in addition to the above requirements.  Students/staff of the Faculty of Medicine will continue to follow the Faculty’s announced arrangements for online submission of the forms.

1. When a hostel resident has a fever or other related symptoms and travel history to Mainland China within 14 days, s/he will be regarded as a suspected case and need to visit UHS (during office hours) or the A&ED at PWH (after office hours) depending on the severity for immediate medical attention. If the case is identified at night, the Security Unit should be notified before calling an ambulance. Warden / Resident Tutor should inform UHS in advance for such a case. 
2. After initial screening by UHS or A&ED at PWH, if the suspected case has to be admitted to hospital for further respiratory testing, a cohort policy would be activated before the test result comes out which would normally take up to 24 hours. The roommate of the suspected case as well as the residents on the same hostel floor would be regarded as a close contact cohort. 
3. Warden / Resident Tutor would need to reach out to the close contact cohorts promptly and remind them to stay in their own rooms to avoid any possible spread of the infectious disease. Those who stay outside the hostels would need to return to their own hostel rooms right away. 
4. The close contact cohorts should put on surgical masks at all times and keep the window of their rooms open as far as possible. The College would help to obtain bottled water and simple meals to be delivered to the cohorts until the test result is released. 
5. UHS would inform the Government and College once the test result is available. The close contact cohorts have to be quarantined for 14 days if the suspected case is tested positive. UHS would conduct surveillance and control of the disease such as disinfection in the affected area.
6. If the case is tested negative, the cohort policy will be deactivated. College workmen would wear protective clothing to intensify cleaning and disinfect the particular room as well as other public areas. 
7. The Warden / Resident Tutor handling the case should wear surgical mask and protective eyewear whenever possible. They should remain within a safe distance when handling the suspected case.

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/images/whats_on/inner/antivirus/reg-class_tuitionfee.pdf

To reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has decided to provide online teaching starting from 17 February until further notice. The special work from home arrangement for CUHK staff will be extended to 9 February.

(1) Online teaching
Except for specified courses, online teaching will be conducted from 17 February as far as practicable and feasible without compromising learning outcomes.

In order to provide adequate time to complete the courses and to compensate for the lost time, the second term will be extended for two weeks until 2 May 2020.

On campus teaching will be resumed once the circumstances allow. Notifications will be made to the students at least one week in advance before the commencement of the on campus classes.

Students will be notified of the arrangements for course assessment after 17 February.

(2) The special work from home arrangement for University staff will be extended until 9 February
Except for those being called upon by the Heads of Departments/Units to provide essential services and where circumstances permit, University staff are not required to return to the office but to continue to work from home.

For staff who are required to return to offices, they should follow the advice from the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection for health declaration and self-medical surveillance.

The University will avoid assigning staff who have been to mainland China within the past 14 days to return to the office to provide essential service. They are strongly advised to follow the Department of Health’s advice to stay home for 14 days upon their return as far as practicable.

The University has added a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to the website to address questions from students and staff on measures to battle against the novel coronavirus infection. Please visit: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/whats-on/focus/antivirus-faq.html

During this period, the University Clinic will continue to operate as usual while dental consultation will be limited to emergency case only. The shuttle bus service on campus will be limited to the holiday H-line, while the paid shuttle light bus service will remain unchanged.

As the spread of the novel coronavirus has reached a critical stage, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been taking active steps to mitigate the increasingly alarming situation. These include the introduction of disease prevention and medical surveillance measures by the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP), cancellation of exchange programmes and suspension of short-term academic activities in mainland China this term, as well as the extension of the lunar new year holiday and elevation of the Response Level against novel coronavirus to “Emergency”.

The CHPP has set up a steering committee to monitor and coordinate the University’s efforts and report directly to the Vice-Chancellor. To ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and faculty, further measures will be introduced.

(1) Students Health Declaration and Self-medical Surveillance
The University strongly advises students not to return to their hostels before 17 February. All students who return to hostels are required to declare their travel history in the previous 14 days by filling in the Health Declaration Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/health_declaration.pdf).
They are also required to monitor their health status for 14 days by filling in the Self-medical Surveillance Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/med_surveillance_self.pdf). The forms should be submitted to their respective hostel wardens.

Those who experience symptoms of fever, acute respiratory illness should contact hostel warden and seek medical help immediately.  Individual colleges may have additional requirements, which will be made known to their residents shortly.

As the novel coronavirus has an incubation period, and medical tests may take time, students who are suspected to have contracted the virus and those who have come into contact with them will have to be isolated until they have been cleared of infection by the medical authorities. This is necessary in the best interest of all our students who are staying on campus.

For enquiries, please contact the CHPP Information Co-coordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

(2) Staff Health Declaration and Self-medical Surveillance
All staff who return to work are required to declare their travel history in the previous 14 days to their supervisors by filling in the Health Declaration Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/health_declaration.pdf ).

They are also required to monitor their health status for 14 days by filling in the Self-medical Surveillance Form
(http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/med_surveillance_self.pdf). The forms should be submitted to their supervisors.

Pregnant staff or staff with long-term illnesses who require flexible work arrangements should contact their supervisors to discuss the arrangements. Those who experience symptoms of fever, acute respiratory illness should inform their supervisors and seek medical help immediately. For enquiries, please contact the CHPP Information Co-coordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

For the Faculty of Medicine, the staff and students who are involved in clinical work or studies at hospitals should refer to the Faculty announcement for further details.

(3) Class Arrangements
Teaching activities will resume on 17 February 2020. If the epidemic continues and classes cannot be resumed as scheduled, online teaching will be conducted as far as practicable and feasible without compromising learning outcomes. Students will be informed of detailed arrangements by their respective faculties / departments.

To cater for the needs of all students who are affected, online course add/drop for all courses offered in Term 2 will be provided once again on CUSIS from 17 February -23 February 2020. The arrangements for postgraduate programmes with a different term structure from the undergraduate degree programmes will be announced later by the Graduate School or the respective Faculties.

(4)    Large-scale Events and Conferences
The University advises all units/ offices to postpone or cancel large-scale events and conferences. 

All offices on campus will resume operation on 29 January (Wednesday), while precautionary measures are in place to prevent infection. As the situation is evolving very quickly, the University will introduce further measures and keep the CUHK community informed on a regular basis. These are extraordinary circumstances, and the health of our students and staff is always our primary concern. The mitigation of the spread of the novel coronavirus will depend on the collective effort and cooperation of the entire CUHK community. While there may be inconveniences, all CUHK members are urged to take care of their personal health and look out for the well-being of those around us.

To prevent infection by novel coronavirus, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announces today that the response level has been elevated to “Emergency”. The University has also decided to extend the Lunar New Year holiday. Classes will resume on February 17. Details of the teaching and learning arrangements will be announced later.

1. All personnel should wear a surgical mask, particularly in crowded areas such as public spaces and school buses.
2. Local students residing in university hostels are encouraged to stay at/return home. Those who need to stay at university hostels are required to fill in the health declaration form and the self health surveillance form on a mandatory basis. If any hostel resident has developed fever and/or respiratory symptoms, the Warden should be notified for arranging medical intervention and informing the Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP). 
3. Hostel and public area cleansing processes will be escalated to the highest level. 
4. A fever clinic will be set up in the University Health Service, starting from 29 January 2020.

For details, please visit CHPP website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/emergency.html

In view of the latest development of the Novel Coronavirus infection, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has decided to cancel all term-time student exchange programmes and suspend short-term academic activities for students in mainland China after carefully assessing the risks.  “The health and safety of our students is our first priority,” a university spokesperson said.

The Office of Academic Links has notified all students participating in student exchange programmes in mainland China this term.

The University is also deliberating on the class resumption arrangements after the Lunar New Year holidays.

As of 22 January 2020, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has received reports of a total of 135 suspected cases fulfilling the reporting criteria. 97 reported cases have been ruled out as novel coronavirus infection and were discharged already. The remaining 38 cases were hospitalised including 2 cases with preliminary positive results for novel coronavirus.

As of 23 January 2020, 9am, according to the National Health Commission and health authorities of overseas countries, the global number of cases is 579 (Mainland China: 571, other countries/areas: 8). Among the 571 cases in Mainland China, 95 cases were in serious condition and 17 were fatal cases. Some countries and provinces in the Mainland, such as Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea and United States, have reported cases of novel coronavirus infection, but there is so far no evidence of possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection in these countries/areas.

In view of the latest situation and risk assessment, the CHP will enhance surveillance of suspected cases and revise the reporting criteria of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. The University Health Service will follow the revised reporting criteria and closely monitor the health surveillance on campus. The Committee on Health Promotion and Protection (CHPP) continues to monitor the latest development and take appropriate prevention and control measures according to the CHP’s recommendations.

1. Cleaning is stepped up throughout the campus. School buses, toilets, public and hostel areas have already increased the frequency of daily cleanings. Frontline staff of security, school bus drivers, and EMO staff will wear masks while on duty.
2. Health declaration form and Self medical surveillance form (with immediate effect)
   
   • When returning to hostel after travel abroad, students are required to fill in the health declaration form and monitor their health status using the self-medical surveillance form for 14 days.
   • When returning to work after travelling abroad, supervisor can advise staff to fill in the health declaration form and monitor their health status using the self-medical surveillance form for 14 days, if necessary.
   • For medical assistance, please call our CHPP Information Co-ordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.
3. Our university has launched a medical surveillance, all cases of suspected or confirmed pneumonia cases of novel coronavirus infection should be reported to our CHPP Information Co-ordinator.The university will make appropriate arrangements accordingly.

All university members are reminded to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection: 

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

Please take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong: 

• Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible transmission of the novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. 

For enquiries, please call our CHPP Information Co-ordinator at 3943 6436 (office hours) or email to healtheducation.uhs@cuhk.edu.hk.

To further understand the preventive measures of various units of the University, please refer to the Serious Response Level of CHPP website:
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/serious.html

CHPP Preventive Recommendations:
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/health_promote_protect/preventive_recommendations.html

Fact sheet on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/102466.html

Information on the affected countries/areas is available from the following webpage:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf

Latest situation of reported cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent:
https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/enhanced_sur_pneumonia_wuhan_eng.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0Rxx6ZV1ZAEg1vznAQUyh50FjSQCn_L4VLWv2d6TAnRTmV5e9GjGk06FQ

In view of the cluster of viral pneumonia cases with unknown cause in Wuhan, the Government launched the Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance and activated the Serious Response Level on 4 January 2020. Under the Serious Response Level, the immediate health impact caused by Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance on local population was assessed to be moderate. The University Health Service will closely monitor the health surveillance on campus.

To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, it is essential to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. When travelling outside Hong Kong, avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. Wear surgical masks and seek medical attention if present with fever or respiratory symptoms, and reveal your travel history to doctors.

Please take heed of the following health advice:

• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretion after coughing or sneezing;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel or hand dryer. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Clean objects thoroughly and frequently with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water), followed by rinsing or wiping with clean water;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.

For the latest information, please visit the webpage of Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health:

• Enhanced surveillance for the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan of Hubei
• Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance (2020), HKSAR Government